Spanish Citizenship Oath

You’ve traversed the winding road of obtaining Spanish citizenship, and now, you’re almost at the finish line! The Spanish Citizenship Oath is the last major step you need to take. Many folks find this step a bit tricky, especially when trying to get an appointment. But don’t fret – we’re here to clear things up for you. 

(Updated by Lexidy Admin August 2023)

What is the Spanish Citizenship Oath?

Let’s dive right in and simplify the Spanish Citizenship Oath for you.

Have you come across Article 244 of the Civil Registry Regulation? If not, no worries, we’re here to simplify it for you. Basically, after getting the green light for your Spanish citizenship application, there’s this critical ritual you need to partake in. It’s the Spanish Citizenship Oath.

During this oath, you either swear or promise to remain loyal to the King of Spain and to always obey the Spanish Constitution and its laws. It’s a significant commitment and shows your dedication to becoming a part of Spain.

Remember, while this might seem procedural, it’s a meaningful step. It’s your commitment, your bond, and your official entry into the Spanish community.

Swearing vs Promising

Now that you know about the importance of respecting Spanish laws and the constitution, you’ve got a choice to make on the big day. Do you swear your respect, or do you promise it?

You might be wondering, “What’s the difference?” In terms of legal stuff, there’s actually no difference. Whether you swear or promise, both are equally valid when taking the Spanish Citizenship Oath. But here’s a tiny distinction: “swearing” has a religious connotation to it, while “promising” is more like giving your word without the religious touch. 

So, on your appointment day, which path will you choose for your Spanish Citizenship Oath? Swearing or promising? Whatever feels right for you, go with it!

Where is the Spanish Citizenship Oath taken?

Currently, you have two different options to take your Spanish Citizenship Oath:

• At the nearest Civil Registry Office
• Before a notary or at the Spanish consulate

Spanish Citizenship Oath at a Civil Registry Office

Let’s chat about where you’ll be taking that all-important Spanish Citizenship Oath. One of your options is to take your oath at a Civil Registry Office. However, it’s not as simple as just popping into any office – there’s a specific spot for you! 

You’ve got to take the Spanish Citizenship Oath at the Civil Registry of the city or town where you’re currently registered (“empadronado”). It doesn’t matter if you began your citizenship journey online or in person, or even if you moved cities. Your current registration location is the key!

Booking Your Big Day

Before you run off to the registry to belt out your oath, you’ve got to book an appointment. Many Civil Registries nowadays are tech-savvy with online platforms, making it super easy for you to schedule your oath-taking online. But some might still be a bit old-school, requiring you to swing by in person to set a date.

A Quick Step-by-Step Process

1. Head to your nearest Civil Registry. That’s the one in the city or town you’re registered in when you get the green light on your citizenship.
2. Book an appointment. Either online (if they’ve got the tech) or in person.
3. Mark that date on your calendar and get ready to take your Spanish Citizenship Oath!

Remember, you can’t just rock up to any Civil Registry in Spain. It’s got to be the one linked to your current registration spot. So if you’ve moved since you first applied, it’s your new home base that counts.

Spanish Citizenship Oath Before a Notary

Did you hear the news? As of September 2021, you’ve got a new option when it comes to taking your Spanish Citizenship Oath. If you’re currently out of the country or just want a quicker process, this update might be just the thing for you.

The Big Update

Previously, the only place to recite your oath was at the Civil Registry. But now, thanks to some positive changes from the Ministry of Justice, you can take your Spanish Citizenship Oath with a notary or even at a Spanish consulate if you’re overseas. That’s right! After waiting and hoping for this change, it’s finally here. And the best part? It promises to make things move a lot faster, meaning you could be an official Spanish citizen in record time!

A Quick Step-by-Step Process

1. Start with the Good News: After you get the thumbs-up on your citizenship from the Ministry of Justice, the next step is reaching out to the College of Notaries in your province if you opt for the notary route over the Civil Registry.
2. Wait a Bit: Expect to wait for about 1 or 2 weeks. The time might vary, and the exact wait time is still a bit hazy. But hang tight – they’ll pair you up with a notary.
3. Visit the Notary: Find out which notary you’re paired with. Next, gather your documents, grab your NIE, and head to their office. There, you’ll take your Spanish Citizenship Oath, pledging your allegiance to Spain and its Constitution.

After you’ve said your piece, the notary will do their part. They’ll send your paperwork over to the Civil Registry to make it all official with a shiny new Spanish birth certificate.

Important Documents

We get that taking your Spanish Citizenship Oath is a momentous occasion and you’re probably buzzing with excitement. But before you get too lost in the moment, let’s make sure you’re prepared. We wouldn’t want any hiccups on such a special day, would we?

Your Checklist for the Day:

• Favourable Resolution of Spanish Nationality & Receipt: Think of it as your golden ticket. You’ve earned it!
• Passport: Make sure it’s the original and still valid. Check those expiry dates!
• Residence Card: Again, it should be valid. If you’re in the middle of renewing it, just bring the receipt.
• City Hall Registration (Padrón): This proves you’re part of the community.
• Birth Certificate: Remember the one you used when you first applied for citizenship? Yes, that’s the one.
• Criminal Records Certificate: Only if it’s legalized or has an apostille stamp.
• Declaratory Data Sheet: This has the basics about you – like your full name and where you were born.

Side Note: If you applied for your nationality through the Civil Registry, you can leave the birth certificate and criminal records certificate at home. But if you went the online route, make sure you have them with you during the Spanish Citizenship Oath ceremony.

How long do I have to complete this procedure?

When it comes to the Spanish Citizenship Oath, timing is crucial. Here’s what you need to know to make sure you don’t miss your chance to officially become a citizen of Spain.

The 180-Day Rule

From the moment you’re granted nationality, a 180-day countdown starts. That’s 6 whole months to schedule your Spanish Citizenship Oath ceremony. But remember, it’s not just about knowing you’ve been approved, but having that official “green light.”

Seeing a “resuelto favorable” status on the online platform “cómo va lo mío” might give you a thrill, but hold on – that’s not your official cue to start the oath-taking process. You need the formal nationality resolution in hand.

Avoid an Oops Moment

Imagine missing the 6-month window? Yikes! If you don’t get things rolling within those 180 days, your file could be archived. That means saying goodbye to the chance to become a Spanish citizen. And nobody wants that!

Quick Tip: Don’t wait for the last minute. Especially if you’re in big cities like Madrid or Barcelona. Trust me; these places can get super busy. So, start the process ASAP and schedule that appointment the moment you can.

But What If… You acted quickly and requested your appointment, but they gave you a date after 180 days? Don’t sweat it! The fact that you’ve got that appointment is your golden ticket. It shows you’re on track, even if the ceremony happens a tad later.

In a nutshell: be prompt, stay ahead of the game, and soon enough, you and your loved ones will be on the path to Spanish citizenship.

What happens on the big day?

So, you’re gearing up for the day you’ve been waiting for, taking the Spanish Citizenship Oath. You might be thinking it’s a huge, complex ceremony, right? Well, let us break it down for you. It’s actually simpler than you’d expect!

What Happens During the Spanish Citizenship Oath? 

When you arrive on the day of your oath, you won’t be kept waiting long. Your main job is to hand over your favourable citizenship resolution. This is just to let the public clerk double-check everything’s in order.

Once that’s done, brace yourself for… two easy questions! (We’ll dive into those in a bit.) Answer them, and voila! You’ll be on record in the Civil Registry as a proud Spanish citizen, with your birth certificate as shining proof of it.

How Long Should You Block Out? 

Here’s some good news: The Spanish Citizenship Oath itself is super quick, usually wrapping up in under 30 minutes. Just half an hour, and you’re officially part of the Spanish family!

A Little Heads Up: While the oath is fast, there might be a tiny wait. Sometimes, your file needs to be passed to another official, which means the entire process might stretch out over a few days or even weeks. 

What happens after the Oath?

Alright, so you’ve finally taken the Spanish Citizenship Oath, been officially registered in the Civil Registry as a Spaniard, and have your birth certificate as a memento of this big day. Congrats! But you might be wondering, “What’s next?”

1. Get Your Official Spanish ID and Passport 

Your first order of business is to head over to the police station. Why? It’s time to snag your Spanish ID card and passport. 

2. Don’t Forget the “Certificado de Concordancia” 

This certificate is a nifty tool to help you update your name with various institutions in Spain. Think of it as your name-change announcer. 

What does this mean? Well, over the years, as you lived in Spain as a foreigner, you registered with your original name from your home country. But, after the Spanish Citizenship Oath, your official name might have a tiny twist. Maybe you’ve added a second surname, or there’s a slight change in spelling.

The “certificado de concordancia” ensures that your new name, as on your Spanish ID or passport, matches up with your identity across all institutions. So, it’s a must-do!

Navigating the Spanish Citizenship Oath with Lexidy

Let’s be honest. Navigating the world of the Spanish Citizenship Oath can be a tad overwhelming. But here’s the good news: you don’t have to do it alone! At Lexidy, we’ve got a team ready to walk with you through every twist and turn.

So, whether you’re starting from scratch, or you’re halfway there and feeling a bit lost, reach out to us. Our team of friendly immigration lawyers are eager to simplify things, answer those burning questions, and make sure you’re on the right path to becoming a Spanish citizen. Fill out the form below and we’ll reach out to get started on this exciting journey together!